Current output architecture for an implantable stimulator device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are current output architectures for implantable stimulator devices. Current source and sink circuitry is divided into a plurality of stages, each of which is capable via an associated switch bank of sourcing or sinking an amount of current to or from any one of the electrodes of the device. The current source circuitry is distinct from the current sink circuitry, and the two share no common circuit nodes prior to connection to the electrodes. In other words, the current source circuitry and the current sink circuitry do not share a common node other than the electrodes. Each stage is preferably formed of a current mirror for receiving a reference current and outputting a scaled version of current to that stage&#39;s switch bank. The scalar at each stage can be set by wiring a desired number of output transistors in parallel. Preferably, the reference current to the current mirrors in the stages is controllable via a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), to globally control the overall magnitude of the current supply to the electrodes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to implantable stimulatordevices, e.g., a pulse generator used in a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)system or other type of neural stimulation system. More particularly,the present invention relates to the output current source/sinkarchitecture used to supply currents to/from the electrodes of thedevice.

BACKGROUND

Implantable stimulation devices are devices that generate and deliverelectrical stimuli to body nerves and tissues for the therapy of variousbiological disorders, such as pacemakers to treat cardiac arrhythmia,defibrillators to treat cardiac fibrillation, cochlear stimulators totreat deafness, retinal stimulators to treat blindness, musclestimulators to produce coordinated limb movement, spinal cordstimulators to treat chronic pain, cortical and deep brain stimulatorsto treat motor and psychological disorders, and other neural stimulatorsto treat urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, shoulder sublaxation, etc.The present invention may find applicability in all such applications,although the description that follows will generally focus on the use ofthe invention within a spinal cord stimulation system, such as thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,227 (“the '227 patent”), issued Feb. 4,2003 in the name of inventors Paul Meadows et al., which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

Spinal cord stimulation is a well-accepted clinical method for reducingpain in certain populations of patients. A Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)system typically includes an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) orRadio-Frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver, electrodes, at least oneelectrode lead, and, optionally, at least one electrode lead extension.The electrodes, which reside on a distal end of the electrode lead, aretypically implanted along the dura of the spinal cord, and the IPG or RFtransmitter generates electrical pulses that are delivered through theelectrodes to the nerve fibers within the spinal column. Individualelectrode contacts (the “electrodes”) are arranged in a desired patternand spacing to create an electrode array. Individual wires within one ormore electrode leads connect with each electrode in the array. Theelectrode lead(s) exit the spinal column and generally attach to one ormore electrode lead extensions. The electrode lead extensions, in turn,are typically tunneled around the torso of the patient to a subcutaneouspocket where the IPG or RF receiver is implanted. Alternatively, theelectrode lead may directly connect with the IPG or RF receiver. Forexamples of other SCS systems and other stimulation system, see U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,646,940 and 3,822,708, which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties. Of course, implantable pulse generatorsare active devices requiring energy for operation, such as is providedby an implanted battery or an external power source.

An IPG may include one or more output current sources/sinks that areconfigured to supply/receive stimulating current to/from the electrodeson the IPG, and ultimately to/from tissue. For example, FIG. 1 shows anexemplary output current source 500 and a corresponding output currentsink 501 used to stimulate tissue, exemplified generically as a load 505(R). As one skilled in the art will understand, transistors M1 and M3 inthe output current source 500, and transistors M2 and M4 in the outputcurrent sink, comprise a current mirror. However, other current sourceor sink circuitry can be used, such as that disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/138,632 (“the '632 application”), filed May 26,2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Both the source 500 and sink 501 are coupled to a current generator 506configured to generate a reference current, I_(ref). A suitable currentgenerator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,969 (“the '969 patent”),issued Jan. 30, 2001 in the name of inventor John C. Gord, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The reference currentin both the output current source/sink 500/501 is input into adigital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to regulate the currentthat is delivered to the load 505. Thus, source 500 employs DACcircuitry 502, while sink 501 employs DAC circuitry 503, which circuitis illustrated only generically here but is fully disclosed in theabove-incorporated '969 patent.

DAC circuitry 502, 503 is configured to regulate and/or amplify I_(ref)and to output an output current I_(out). Specifically, the relationbetween I_(out) and I_(ref) is determined in accordance with input bitsarriving on busses 513, 513′, which gives DAC circuitry 502, 503 itsdigital-to-analog functionality. Essentially, in accordance with thevalues of the various M bits on bus 513, any number of output stages(i.e., transistors M1, M2) are tied together in parallel such thatI_(out) can range from I_(ref) to 2^(M)*I_(ref). (Fractional values ofI_(ref) are also possible, as disclosed in the '969 patent, but suchsubtlety is ignored herein for simplicity). Although not shown in FIG.1, the output stages can contain other structures, such as choketransistors and other transistors designed to ensure good currentmatching in the current mirror circuitry. However, as such otherstructures are explained in the above-incorporated '969 patent, they arenot discussed further.

As shown in FIG. 1, the output current source 500 is coupled to anelectrode E_(X) on the IPG device 100, while the output current sink 501is coupled to a different electrode E_(Y) on the IPG device. Asexplained in the above-incorporated '969 patent, an electrode willtypically be hard-wired to both an output current source 500 and anoutput current sink 501, only one (or neither) of which is activated ata particular time to allow the electrode to selectively be used aseither a source or sink (or as neither). Thus, for example, in FIG. 2A,four exemplary electrodes E₁, E₂, E₃, and E₄ are shown, each havingtheir own dedicated source 500 and sink 501.

The source 500 and sink 501 hard-wired at each electrode are sometimesrespectively referred to as PDACs and NDACs, reflecting the fact thatthe sources 500 are typically formed of P-type transistors while thesinks 501 are typically formed of N-type transistors. The use oftransistors of these polarities is sensible given that the source isbiased to a high voltage (V+), where P-type transistors are mostlogical, while the sink is biased to a low voltage (V−), where N-typetransistors are most logical, as shown in FIG. 1. The substrateconnection (not shown) for the transistors would typically be tied tothe appropriate power supply, either V+ or V−, but could also be tied tothe transistors' sources.

As shown in FIG. 2A, output current source 500 may be associated withelectrode E2 (e.g., E_(X) of FIG. 1) on the IPG at a particular point intime, while output current sink 501 may be associated with electrode E3(e.g., E_(Y) of FIG. 1) at that time. At a later time, electrodes E2 andE3 could be switched such that E2 now operates as the sink, while E3operates as the source, or new sources or sinks could be chosen, etc.

A consequence of this architecture is that, as mentioned, each electrodehas its own dedicated source (i.e., PDAC) and sink (i.e., NDAC)circuitry, as shown in FIG. 2A. Consider an approach disclosed in the'969 patent, which is illustrated in FIG. 3. Shown is the dedicatedoutput current source circuitry for a particular electrode (e.g.,E_(X)). Dedicated output current sink circuitry, similar to the outputcurrent source circuitry 500 but differing in polarity, would likewisebe hardwired to the electrode E_(X), but is not shown for convenience.Also not shown for convenience is the presence of a coupling capacitor(see '969 patent, FIG. 3, element 203). As shown, the source is capableof outputting to the electrode a current I_(out) ranging from I_(ref) to127I_(ref) in increments of I_(ref), depending on the status of thecontrol bits (Bit<1:M>). Specifically, each bit, when selected,contributes 2^((M−1)) worth of current to the output current, I_(out),through activation of pass transistors 530 in each of the M stages thatcomprise the output current source. For example, if a current of53I_(ref) is desired at I_(out), bits Bit<1, 3, 5, 6> would be enabled(active low) to turn on transistors 530 ₁, 530 ₃, 530 ₅, and 530 ₆,which respectively contribute I_(ref), 4I_(ref), 16I_(ref) and32I_(ref), in sum, 53I_(ref). Although each stage is shown as having itsown current source I_(ref), it would usually be the case that each stagetaps into a singular reference current (not shown for convenience),which is preferred to ensure current uniformity across the stages.

However, this approach does not comprise an efficient use of space onthe integrated circuit on which the output current source/sink circuitryis fabricated. In a typical SCS system implementation, the SCS devicemight contain 16 electrodes, E₁ through E₁₆. However, it is usually thecase that only one PDAC (source) and one NDAC (sink) are active at onetime. Or, more rarely, four or more PDACs (sources) or NDACs (sinks)might be active at one time. Even in the more extreme cases, it will benoted that the majority of the PDACs (source) and NDACs (sinks) areinactive. In other words, most of the time, most of the PDACs or NDACsdedicated to a particular electrode are not being utilized. When oneconsiders that the PDACs or NDACs take up significant space on theintegrated circuit (see FIG. 3), the provision of such redundancy forevery electrode seems inefficient.

Another output current architecture is disclosed in theabove-incorporated '227 patent, and in particular in FIG. 4A of the '227patent, salient aspects of which are summarized in the presentapplication in FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 2B, the architecture of the'227 patent also uses a plurality of current sources and sinks, andfurther uses a low impedance switching matrix that intervenes betweenthe sources/sinks and the electrodes E_(X). Notice that each source/sinkpair is hard-wired together at nodes 333, such that the switching matrixintervenes between the common nodes 333 and the electrodes. Of course,only one of the source or the sink in each pair is activated at onetime, and thus point 333 in any pair will source or sink current at anyparticular time. Through appropriate control of the switching matrix,any of the nodes 333 may be connected to any of the electrodes E_(X) atany time.

While generally a suitable architecture, the architecture of FIG. 2Bsuffers from drawbacks. For one, the FIG. 2B architecture putsadditional resistance in the output path between the power supply in theDAC circuitry and the electrode. As explained in the above-incorporated'632 application, it is generally desired to minimize resistance betweenthe power supply and the electrode. Thus, and referring to FIG. 4, whichshows the architecture of FIG. 2B in further detail, it is desired thatthe resistance be minimized in the output path between the power supplyV+ or V− and a given electrode E_(X). This is because any resistance inthe output path will give rise to a voltage drop in the output path (theoutput path resistance times I_(out)) which is not otherwise useful inthe context of the circuitry. But in the architecture of FIGS. 2B and 4,it can be seen that three elements are serially connected between thepower supplies and the electrode: the current mirror, the bit selecttransistor, and the transistor in the low impedance switch matrix. Dueto the additional resistances of these components, and the additionalresistance of the switches in the switch matrix, power (i.e., the outputpath resistance times I_(out) ²) is wasted. In an implantable stimulatordevice, such unnecessary power loss is regrettable, because battery lifein such devices is critical and beneficially made as long lasting aspossible.

Moreover, the architecture of FIG. 2B is further inefficient from alayout perspective. Due to the common node between a given PDAC sourceand NDAC sink pair, only one DAC in each pair can be active at any time.Thus, and like the architecture of FIG. 2A, DAC circuitry is guaranteedto go unused at any particular time. More specifically, at least 50% ofthe DAC circuitry (possibly more) will go unused at any given time,which again is a wasteful use of layout on the integrated circuit.

In short, the implantable stimulator art, or more specifically the IPGor SCS system art, would be benefited by an architecture that allowedvariable currents to be provided at a number of electrodes, but in amore efficient manner. Such solutions are provided herein.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a current output architecture for an implantablestimulator device such as an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) or morespecifically for a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system. In thearchitecture, current source and sink circuitry is divided into aplurality of stages, each of which is capable via an associated switchbank of sourcing or sinking an amount of current to or from any one ofthe electrodes on the device. In the architecture, the current sourcecircuitry is distinct from the current sink circuitry, and the two shareno common circuit nodes prior to connection to the electrodes. In otherwords, the current source circuitry and the current sink circuitry donot share a common node other than the electrodes.

Each stage is preferably formed of a current mirror for receiving areference current and outputting a current to that stage's switch bank.The output current in the stage preferably represents a scaled versionof the reference current, i.e., the output current comprises thereference current times a scalar at the stage. The scalar at each stagecan be set by wiring a desired number of output transistors in parallel.In a preferred embodiment, the scalars of the different stages are setto ensure that a minimum resolution of current can be supplied to anygiven electrode at any given time, a goal that may be achieved bysetting the scalars to one in each stage. However, it should be realizedthat the scalars of the various stages can be widely varied to achieveparticular design goals.

In a preferred embodiment, the reference current to the current mirrorsin the stages is controllable. Specifically, and in one implementation,an initial reference current is input into a digital-to-analog converter(DAC) to provide a gain to the initial reference current, which is thenprovided to the stages. In so doing, the overall magnitude of thecurrent to the electrodes on the device can be globally controlled bycontrolling the DAC. Any suitable current DAC circuitry can be used toscale the initial reference current.

With this architecture, dedicated source and sink circuitry are notrequired at every electrode on the device, because the stages in thesource and sink circuitry are distributed across the electrodes by theswitch banks. This improves system efficiency, and removes the waste ofdedicated PDAC and NDAC circuitry not being used at unstimulatedelectrodes. Moreover, because the source and sink circuitry do not sharea common node prior to the electrodes, difficulties associated with aparticular node in the current supply circuitry potentially acting asboth a source and sink are alleviated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of the present invention will be moreapparent from the following more particular description thereof,presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary output current source and a correspondingoutput current sink each having current digital-to-analog converter(DAC) circuitry in series with a load.

FIG. 2A shows a prior art architecture for coupling output currentsources and sinks to a plurality of electrodes using hard-wireddedicated circuitry at each electrode.

FIG. 2B shows a prior art architecture for coupling output currentsource and sinks to a plurality of electrodes using a switching matrix.

FIG. 3 shows the layout complexity of the output current sources of FIG.2A.

FIG. 4 shows drawbacks related to the architecture of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram that illustrates exemplary implantable,external, and surgical components of a spinal cord stimulation (SCS)system that employs an implantable stimulator device in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 6 shows various components of the SCS system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram that illustrates the main components of oneembodiment of an implantable stimulator device in which the inventioncan be used.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram that illustrates another embodiment of animplantable stimulator device in which the invention can be used.

FIG. 9 illustrates an improved current source/sink architecture inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows the current mirror circuitry useable in the architectureof FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a preferred current source/sink architecture in which ascalar of one is used in each stage.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated forcarrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in alimiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing thegeneral principles of the invention. The scope of the invention shouldbe determined with reference to the claims and their equivalents.

At the outset, it is noted that the present invention may be used withan implantable pulse generator (IPG), or similar electrical stimulatorand/or electrical sensor, that may be used as a component of numerousdifferent types of stimulation systems. The description that followsrelates to use of the invention within a spinal cord stimulation (SCS)system. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not solimited. Rather, the invention may be used with any type of implantableelectrical circuitry that could benefit from efficient output currentsource/sink circuitry. For example, the present invention may be used aspart of a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a cochlear stimulator, a retinalstimulator, a stimulator configured to produce coordinated limbmovement, a cortical and deep brain stimulator, or in any other neuralstimulator configured to treat urinary incontinence, sleep apnea,shoulder sublaxation, etc.

Turning first to FIG. 5, a block diagram is shown that illustrates thevarious components of an exemplary SCS system in which the invention maybe used. These components may be subdivided into three broad categories:(1) implantable components 10, (2) external components 20, and (3)surgical components 30. As seen in FIG. 5, the implantable components 10include an implantable pulse generator (IPG) 100, an electrode array110, and (as needed) a lead extension 120. The extension 120 may be usedto electrically connect the electrode array 110 to the IPG 100. In anexemplary embodiment, the IPG 100, described more fully below inconnection with FIG. 7 or 8, may comprise a rechargeable, multichannel,telemetry-controlled, pulse generator housed in a roundedhigh-resistivity titanium alloy case to reduce eddy current heatingduring the inductive charging process. The IPG 100 may provideelectrical stimulation through a multiplicity of electrodes, e.g.,sixteen electrodes E₁ through E₁₆, included within the electrode array110.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the IPG100 may include stimulating electrical circuitry (“stimulatingelectronics”), a power source, e.g., a rechargeable battery, and atelemetry system. Typically, the IPG 100 is placed in a surgically-madepocket either in the abdomen, or just at the top of the buttocks. Itmay, of course, also be implanted in other locations of the patient'sbody. Once implanted, the IPG 100 is connected to the lead system,comprising the lead extension 120, if needed, and the electrode array110. The lead extension 120, for example, may be tunneled up to thespinal column. Once implanted and any trial stimulation period iscomplete, the lead system 110 and lead extension 120 are intended to bepermanent. In contrast, the IPG 100 may be replaced when its powersource fails or is no longer rechargeable.

As seen best in FIG. 6, and as also illustrated in FIG. 5, the electrodearray 110 and its associated lead system typically interface with theimplantable pulse generator (IPG) 100 via a lead extension system 120.The electrode array 110 may also be connected to an external trialstimulator 140, through the use of a percutaneous lead extension 132and/or an external cable 134. The external trial stimulator 140typically includes the same or similar pulse generation circuitry asdoes the IPG 100, and is used on a trial basis for, e.g., 7-10 daysafter the electrode array has been implanted, prior to implantation ofthe IPG 100, to test the effectiveness of the stimulation that is to beprovided.

Still with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a hand-held programmer (HHP) 202may be used to control the IPG 100 via a suitable non-invasivecommunications link 201, e.g., an RF link. Such control allows the IPG100 to be turned on or off, and generally allows stimulation parameters,e.g., pulse amplitude, width, and rate, to be set within prescribedlimits. The HHP 202 may also be linked with the external trialstimulator 140 through another link 205′, e.g., an infra red link.Detailed programming of the IPG 100 is preferably accomplished throughthe use of an external clinician's programmer 204 (FIG. 5), which mayalso be hand-held and which may be coupled to the IPG 100 directly orthrough the HHP 202. An external charger 208, non-invasively coupledwith the IPG 100 through link 209, e.g., an inductive link, allowsenergy stored or otherwise made available to the charger 208 to becoupled into the rechargeable battery housed within the IPG 100.

Turning next to FIG. 7, a block diagram is shown that illustrates themain components of one embodiment of an implantable pulse generator(IPG) 100 that may be used with the invention. As seen in FIG. 7, theIPG may include a microcontroller (μC) 160 connected to memory circuitry162. The μC 160 typically comprises a microprocessor and associatedlogic circuitry, which in combination with control logic circuits 166,timer logic 168, and an oscillator and clock circuit 164, generate thenecessary control and status signals which allow the μC 160 to controlthe operation of the IPG in accordance with a selected operating programand stimulation parameters. The operating program and stimulationparameters are typically stored within the memory 162 by transmitting anappropriate modulated carrier signal through a receiving coil 170 andcharging and forward telemetry circuitry 172 from an externalprogramming unit, e.g., a handheld programmer 202 and/or a clinicianprogrammer 204, assisted as required through the use of a directionaldevice 206 (see FIG. 5). (The handheld programmer is thus considered tobe in “telecommunicative” contact with the IPG; and the clinicianprogrammer is likewise considered to be in telecommunicative contactwith the IPG, e.g., through the handheld programmer). The charging andforward telemetry circuitry 172 demodulates the carrier signal itreceives through the coil 170 to recover the programming data, e.g., theoperating program and/or the stimulation parameters, which programmingdata is then stored within the memory 162, or within other memoryelements (not shown) distributed throughout the IPG 100.

The microcontroller 160 is further coupled to monitoring circuits 174via bus 173. The monitoring circuits 174 monitor the status of variousnodes or other points 175 throughout the IPG 100, e.g., power supplyvoltages, current values, temperature, the impedance of electrodesattached to the various electrodes E₁ . . . E_(N), and the like.Informational data sensed through the monitoring circuit 174 may be sentto a remote location external to the IPG (e.g., a non-implantedlocation) through back telemetry circuitry 176, which includes atransmission coil 177.

The operating power for the IPG 100 may be derived from a rechargeablepower source 180 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The rechargeable power source 180 may comprise a lithium-ionor lithium-ion polymer battery, for example. The rechargeable battery180 provides an unregulated voltage to power circuits 182. The powercircuits 182, in turn, generate the various voltages 184, some of whichare regulated and some of which are not, as needed by the variouscircuits located within the IPG 100.

In one exemplary embodiment, any of the N electrodes may be assigned toup to k possible groups or “channels.” In one preferred embodiment, kmay equal four. Moreover, any of the N electrodes can operate, or beincluded in, any of the k channels. The channel identifies whichelectrodes are selected to synchronously source or sink current tocreate an electric field in the tissue to be stimulated. Amplitudes andpolarities of electrodes on a channel may vary, e.g., as controlled bythe patient hand held programmer 202. External programming software inthe clinician programmer 204 is typically used to set parametersincluding electrode polarity, amplitude, pulse rate and pulse width forthe electrodes of a given channel, among other possible programmablefeatures.

The N programmable electrodes can be programmed to have a positive(sourcing current), negative (sinking current), or off (no current)polarity in any of the k channels. Moreover, each of the N electrodescan operate in a bipolar mode or multipolar mode, e.g., where two ormore electrode contacts are grouped to source/sink current at the sametime. Alternatively, each of the N electrodes can operate in a monopolarmode where, e.g., the electrode contacts associated with a channel areconfigured as cathodes (negative), and the case electrode (i.e., the IPGcase) is configured as an anode (positive).

Further, the amplitude of the current pulse being sourced or sunk to orfrom a given electrode contact may be programmed to one of severaldiscrete current levels, e.g., between 0 to 10 mA in steps of 0.1 mA.Also, the pulse width of the current pulses is preferably adjustable inconvenient increments, e.g., from 0 to 1 milliseconds (ms) in incrementsof 10 microseconds (μs). Similarly, the pulse rate is preferablyadjustable within acceptable limits, e.g., from 0 to 1000 Hz. Otherprogrammable features can include slow start/end ramping, burststimulation cycling (on for X time, off for Y time), and open or closedloop sensing modes.

The stimulation pulses generated by the IPG 100 may be charged balanced.This means that the amount of positive charge associated with a givenstimulus pulse are offset with an equal and opposite negative charge.Charge balance may be achieved through coupling capacitors C_(X), whichprovide a passive capacitor discharge that achieves the desired chargebalanced condition. Alternatively, active biphasic or multi-phasicpulses with positive and negative phases that are balanced may be usedto achieve the needed charge balanced condition.

In short, the IPG 100 is able to individually control the currents atthe N electrodes. Controlling the output current DAC circuitry 186 usingthe microcontroller 160, in combination with the control logic 166 andtimer logic 168, thereby allows each electrode contact to be paired orgrouped with other electrode contacts, including the monopolar caseelectrode, to control the polarity, amplitude, rate, pulse width andchannel through which the current stimulus pulses are provided.

As shown in FIG. 7, much of circuitry included within the IPG 100 may berealized on a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 190.This allows the overall size of the IPG 100 to be quite small, andreadily housed within a suitable hermetically-sealed case. The IPG 100may include N feedthroughs to allow electrical contact to beindividually made from inside of the hermetically-sealed case with the Nelectrodes that form part of the lead system outside of the case.

As noted earlier, in use, the IPG 100 may be placed in a surgically-madepocket, e.g., in the abdomen or just at the top of the buttocks, anddetachably connected to the lead system (comprising optional leadextension 120 and electrode array 110). While the lead system isintended to be permanent, the IPG 100 may be replaced should its powersource fail, or for other reasons.

The back telemetry features of the IPG 100 allow the status of the IPGto be checked. For example, when the external hand-held programmer 202(and/or the clinician programmer 204), initiates a programming sessionwith the IPG 100 (FIG. 5), the capacity of the battery is telemetered sothat the external programmer can calculate the estimated time torecharge. Any changes made to the current stimulus parameters areconfirmed through back telemetry, thereby assuring that such changeshave been correctly received and implemented within the implant system.Moreover, upon interrogation by the external programmer, allprogrammable settings stored within the implant system 10 may beuploaded to one or more external programmers.

Turning next to FIG. 8, a hybrid block diagram of an alternativeembodiment of an IPG 100′ that may be used with the invention isillustrated. The IPG 100′ includes both analog and digital dies, orintegrated circuits (ICs), which may be housed in a singlehermetically-sealed rounded case having, for instance, a diameter ofabout 45 mm and a maximum thickness of about 10 mm. Many of the circuitscontained within the IPG 100′ are identical or similar to the circuitscontained within the IPG 100, shown in FIG. 7. The IPG 100′ includes aprocessor die, or chip, 160′, an RF telemetry circuit 172′ (typicallyrealized with discrete components), a charger coil 170′, a lithium ionor lithium ion polymer battery 180′, battery charger and protectioncircuits 182′, memory circuits 162′ (SEEPROM) and 163′ (SRAM), a digitalIC 191′, an analog IC 190′, and a capacitor array and header connector192′.

The capacitor array and header connector 192′ include sixteen outputdecoupling capacitors, as well as respective feed-through connectors forconnecting one side of each decoupling capacitor through thehermetically-sealed case to a connector to which the electrode array110, or lead extension 120, may be detachably connected.

The processor 160′ may be realized with an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or thelike that comprises a main device for full bi-directional communicationand programming. The processor 160′ may utilize an 8086 core (the 8086is a commercially-available microprocessor available from, e.g., Intel),or a low power equivalent thereof, 16 kilobytes of SRAM memory, twosynchronous serial interface circuits, a serial EEPROM interface, and aROM boot loader 735. The processor die 160′ may further include anefficient clock oscillator circuit 164′ and a mixer andmodulator/demodulator circuit implementing the QFAST RF telemetry methodsupporting bi-directional telemetry at 8 Kbits/second. QFAST stands for“Quadrature Fast Acquisition Spread Spectrum Technique,” and representsa known and viable approach for modulating and demodulating data. Ananalog-to-digital converter (A/D) circuit 734 is also resident on theprocessor 160′ to allow monitoring of various system level analogsignals, impedances, regulator status and battery voltage. The processor160′ further includes the necessary communication links to otherindividual ASICs utilized within the IPG 100′. The processor 160′, likeall similar processors, operates in accordance with a program that isstored within its memory circuits.

The analog IC (AIC) 190′ may comprise an ASIC that functions as the mainintegrated circuit that performs several tasks necessary for thefunctionality of the IPG 100′, including providing power regulation,stimulus output, and impedance measurement and monitoring. Electroniccircuitry 194′ performs the impedance measurement and monitoringfunction.

The analog IC 190′ may also include output current DAC circuitry 186′configured to supply current to a load, such as tissue, for example. Theoutput current DAC circuitry 186′ may be configured to deliver up to 20mA aggregate and up to 12.7 mA on a single channel in 0.1 mA steps.However, it will be noted that the output current DAC circuitry 186′ maybe configured to deliver any amount of aggregate current and any amountof current on a single channel, according to one exemplary embodiment.The output current DAC circuitry 186′ will be described in more detailbelow with reference to FIGS. 9-11.

Regulators for the IPG 100′ supply the processor and the digitalsequencer with a voltage. Digital interface circuits residing on theanalog IC 190′ are similarly supplied with a voltage. A programmableregulator supplies the operating voltage for the output current DACcircuitry 186′. The coupling capacitors C_(X) and electrodes E_(X), aswell as the remaining circuitry on the analog IC 186′, may all be housedwithin the hermetically sealed case of the IPG 100. A feedthrough pin,which is included as part of the header connector 192′, allowselectrical connection to be made between each of the coupling capacitorsC_(N) and the respective electrodes E₁, E₂, E₃, . . . or E₁₆.

The digital IC (DigIC) 191′ functions as the primary interface betweenthe processor 160′ and the output current DAC circuitry 186′, and itsmain function is to provide stimulus information to the output currentDAC circuitry 186′. The DigIC 191′ thus controls and changes thestimulus levels and sequences when prompted by the processor 160′. In anexemplary embodiment, the DigIC 191′ comprises a digital applicationspecific integrated circuit (digital ASIC).

As noted earlier, exemplary embodiments of the present invention involvethe architecture used in the output current sources and sinks, i.e., inthe output current DAC circuitry 186 or 186′, which are sometimesrespectively referred to as the PDAC and NDAC circuitry. Previousapproaches were summarized in the Background section of this disclosure,and were illustrated primarily with respect to FIGS. 2 through 4. But asnoted, these architectures suffered from various drawbacks.

New, improved output current architectures are illustrated in FIGS.9-11. The new architectures, like previous architectures, employ outputcurrent source and output current sink circuitry, respectively labeledin FIG. 9 as circuitry 400 and 401, which would logically be implementedfor example on analog IC 190′ (FIG. 8). However, as is unique to thecircuitry of FIGS. 9-11, and unlike the prior art architecture of FIGS.2A and 3, each electrode E₁ through E_(N) on the IPG 100 does not haveits own dedicated, hard-wired source and sink circuitry. Instead, thesource and sink circuitry 400, 401 is shared amongst the variouselectrodes E_(X), via a network of switch banks, as will be explainedbelow.

Moreover, and unlike the prior art architecture of FIGS. 2B and 4, andignoring impedances such as coupling capacitances C_(N) (FIG. 7) forreasons to be explained later, it is noticed that the PDACs and NDACs donot share a common node (such as node 333 in FIG. 2B) other than theelectrode nodes. As a result, circuitry is not left intentionally unusedas it was in the architecture of FIG. 2B, in which at least one of thePDAC and NDAC in a particular pair must remain unused at any particularpoint in time. Furthermore, as compared to the switch matrix approach ofFIG. 2B and FIG. 4, the new architectures of FIGS. 9 and 11 comprise oneless component in the output path, which reduces unwanted voltage dropsin the output path, and results in power savings. As can be seen withbrief reference to FIG. 11, which shows a PDAC current source 400, onlytwo components intervene between the power supply V+ and a givenelectrode: the current mirror transistor(s) and the selection switchS_(N,L) from the switch bank. In effect, and by comparison to FIG. 4,the bit select transistor and the switch in the low impedance switchingmatrix are combined into a single switch in the new architecture, savingboth layout space and power. Moreover, further power savings arerealized by the new architecture of FIGS. 9-11, but before this isunderstood these Figures are first discussed in more detail below.

The source circuitry 400 is primarily shown in FIG. 9, whereas the sinkcircuitry 401 is illustrated in mere dotted lines, which reflects thisdisclosure's focus on discussion of the output current source circuitry400. However, the sink circuitry 401, while not specifically discussed,is similar in design and function to the source circuitry 400, althoughdiffering in polarity (e.g., connection to negative power supply V-, useof N-channel transistors, etc.).

As shown, the source circuitry 400 comprises a PDAC 407, various currentmirrors 410, and various switch banks 405. Specifically, there are Lnumber of current mirrors 410 and switch banks 405, and each switch bankcomprises N switches, corresponding to the number of electrodes on theIPG 100. In other words, there are a total of N*L switches in the switchbanks 405.

PDAC 407 converts an initial reference current I₁ to a true referencecurrent I_(ref) that is sent as an input to each of the current mirrors410. The PDAC 407 can comprise any structure known in the art forallowing the amplification of current on the basis of digital inputs.For example, the PDAC can be constructed as in FIG. 3. However, anyother design could be used, and in fact, use of PDAC 407 is not strictlyrequired in all useful embodiments of the invention. However, it doeshave utility in setting the overall resolution and magnitude of theoutput currents to be supplied to the various electrodes E_(X), as willbe explained in further detail below.

The various current mirrors 410 take the reference current I_(ref) andscale that current to produce currents of desired magnitudes in each ofthe L stages. Thus, the first stage scales I_(ref) by A_(L), the secondby A₂, and so on. The various scalars A₁, A₂, . . . A_(L), can bedifferent or can be the same in each of the stages. For example thescalars can exponentially increase (A₁=1, A₂=2, A₃=4, A₄=8, etc.), orlinearly increase (A₁=1, A₂=2, A₃=3, etc.), or can stay the same. Infact, in a preferred embodiment, each of the scalars A_(L)=1, and thuseach of the L stages merely takes the reference current I_(ref) andoutputs that current to their respective switch banks 405. (In thissense, a current can be said to be “scaled” even if the scalar at thestage equals one.) The scalars A_(L) in each stage can be set by varyingthe number of transistors placed in parallel in the output stages of thecurrent mirrors 410, as is shown in FIG. 10. Thus, were a ×4 gaindesired, four P-channel transistors 413 would be placed in parallel withthe balancing transistor 414 in the current mirror. Thus, in thepreferred embodiment, only one transistor 413 would be used in eachcurrent mirror stage 410, such as is illustrated in FIG. 11. AlthoughFIG. 11 shows the source 400, it would be understood that an N-channeltransistors based sink 401 would be similarly constructed in a preferredembodiment.

In further distinction to the architecture of FIGS. 2A and 3, note thatthe current mirrors 410 are not individually selectable in and ofthemselves, i.e., they do not have bit select transistors as in the DACof FIG. 3. They are always on and supplying current to the switch banks405, with selection or not of a particular current mirror 410's currentoccurring in its given switch bank 405.

It should be noted that current mirrors 410 are simply one example of acurrent converter, i.e., a circuit used to convert one current (I_(ref))to another current (A_(x)I_(ref)). Many other circuits capable ofperforming this function are known in the art, as thus the use ofcurrent mirrors in each stage should be understood as merely exemplary.Moreover, notice that unlike the various PDAC circuits of FIG. 2B, thecurrent mirrors 410 of FIG. 9 are non-selectable, i.e., they always areenabled to provide their currents to the switch banks 405. In short, thedisclosed architecture is simpler in that an additional layer ofselection over and beyond selection of the various switches S_(X) in theswitch banks 405 is not necessary.

As noted earlier, the switch bank 405 for each stage receives the outputof the current mirrors 410, i.e., I_(ref) in the preferred embodiment.As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, each switch bank 405 contains N switches,S_(N), each of which is capable of routing the output current from itscurrent mirror 410 _(x) (A_(x)I_(ref)) to any of the electrodes E_(X) onthe IPG 100. Thus, in each stage, switch S₁ can send that stage'scurrent to E₁, switch S₂ to E₂, etc. Accordingly, each stage iscontrollable to send its output current to more than one of theplurality of electrode nodes and thus can affect the current at anygiven electrode, and multiple stages can work together to produce acurrent at a given electrode. For example, assume each current mirror410 has a scalar A of 1, such that each sends I_(ref) to its respectiveswitch bank 405. Assume further that there are 128 stages, such that allcurrent mirrors 410 together can supply a maximum current of 128I_(ref).Referring back to the example discussed in the Background, were acurrent of 53I_(ref) desired at electrode E₂, switches S₂ could beclosed in any 53 of the various stages (e.g., the first 53 stages, thelast 53 stages, etc.). Similarly, multiple electrodes can be stimulatedat the same time, i.e., to form one of the k channels discussed earlier.For example, suppose 53I_(ref) is desired at electrode E₂; 12I_(ref) atelectrode E₅, and 19I_(ref) at electrode E₈. This would requiresimultaneously closing 53 S₂ switches, 12 S₅ switches, and 19 S₈switches.

At this point, certain aspects of the new architecture are worth noting.First, the minimum current that can be sent to any particular electrodeE_(X) is I_(ref), which would comprise the selection of that electrode'sswitch in only one stage with a scalar of one. (This minimum resolutiondoes not consider other schemes for generating fractions of I_(ref),such as are disclosed in the above-incorporated '969 patent. Of course,such schemes could be used in conjunction with the embodiments of FIGS.9 and 11, but are not shown). Second, the maximum current that can beprovided to any electrode (or combination of electrodes in one of kchannels) at any given time is (A₁+A₂+ . . . +A_(L))*I_(ref), or128I_(ref) in keeping with the example in which the scalars in eachstage equal one.

Noting these limitations, various preferred aspects of the architecturecan be better appreciated. The first is the preference to set thescalars A_(x) of all stages to one. By doing this, it is assured thatthe lowest resolution of current I_(ref) is available to a givenelectrode at a given time. For example, suppose I_(ref) is desired atelectrode E₄ while 3I_(ref) is desired at electrode E5. Were the scalarsin the various stages exponential for example (A₁=1, A₂=2, A₃=4, A₄=8,etc.), one of these desired currents could not be realized, as the firststage's scalar (A₁=1) would be needed for both at the same time. Thus,by choosing the smallest resolution for each stage (A_(x)=1), it can beassured that the multiple electrodes can be supplied with minimumincrements of current, and thus can be finely controlled.

This same benefit of guaranteed minimum resolution can also be realizedin other ways. For example, a set number of the stages (but less thanall) could be set to a scalar of one, while other stages take ondifferent scalar values. For example, realizing that it would be rarethat more than four electrodes E_(N) would be stimulated at one time,four stages could be set with a scalar of one (guaranteeing the minimumresolution at the four electrodes); four other stages could be set witha scalar of two; yet four other stages could be set with a scalar offour; and so on in increasing exponential fashion. In other words, thescalars A_(X) at the various stages can take on different valuesdepending on desired resolution and other design objectives.

Note that to the extent that scalars of greater than one are used in thestages, the number of stages (i.e., the number of current mirrors 410and associated switch banks 405) will decrease, assuming the currentcapacity stays constant. For example, for a 128I_(ref) current capacity,scalars of A_(x)=1 will require 128 stages. This is more spaceintensive, but will have improved resolution control. By contrast,scalars increasing exponentially (A₁=1, A₂=2, A₃=4, A₄=8, etc.) wouldrequire only seven stages (for a total of essentially the same value of127I_(ref)). This is less space intensive, and simplifies the design,but also has drawbacks regarding minimum resolution control as notedabove. In short, the minimum resolution versus the number of stagesdesired in the output current source 400 has trade offs that should beconsidered for any particular design. Thus, while the use of stages withminimum resolution scalars is preferred, it is not the only way todesign an embodiment of the invention, and the invention should not beunderstood as so limited.

The second preferred aspect of the disclosed architecture worthy of noteis the inclusion of PDAC 407. The PDAC 407 scales the initial referencecurrent I₁ by a factor of Z to produce the true reference currentI_(ref) sent to the current mirrors 410 (i.e., I_(ref)=Z*I₁). In thisway, the currents ultimately sent to the electrodes can be further (andglobally) varied by adjusting the gain of the PDAC 407. If smallercurrent resolutions are required at the electrodes E_(X), Z can bereduced through appropriate digital control of the PDAC. If higher totalcurrents are required, Z can likewise be increased. Additionally,because PDAC 407 is digitally controllable, it can be controlled at onepoint in time to provide a low gain (low Z) or no gain (Z=1), while atother times providing a high gain (high Z). Thus, PDAC 407 providesgreater control to the range of currents that can ultimately be providedat the electrodes E_(X). This being said however, PDAC 407 is notrequired in all embodiments of the invention.

As noted earlier, in a preferred embodiment, the switch banks 405 wouldin total comprise N*L switches, where N equals in number of electrodesand L equals the number of stages in the output circuitry 400 (or 401).However, it should be noted that not every stage L would necessarilyrequire N switches. For example, a given stage might comprise less thanN switches, foregoing the ability to send that stage's current to aparticular electrode E_(X). Moreover, it is not necessary that every Xthswitch in the switch banks 405 provide current to the Xth electrode,E_(X). In short, while FIG. 9 illustrates a preferred embodiment, otherdesigns within the scope of this disclosed embodiment are possible thatstill achieve the benefits of the architecture disclosed herein.

Control of the N switches in the various L stages can be easilyaccomplished through well-known addressing techniques. For example,control logic (like control logic 166 of FIG. 7) can output an addressfor the stages, and the various switches S_(X) in that stage, thatshould be activated at a particular point in time to produce a desiredcurrent at a given electrode E_(x). In this sense, the control signalsto be sent to open or close the switches S_(X) should be understood asloosely akin to the control signals on bus 513 in the prior artarchitecture of FIGS. 2A & 3. It should be understood that the switchesS_(X) are preferably single transistors of a logical polarity dependingon whether they are present in the source circuitry 400 (P-channels) orthe sink circuitry 401 (N-channels). However, other structures couldalso be used for the switches S_(X), such as pass gates or transmissiongates, etc.

It should be understood that the direction in which current flows is arelative concept, and different conventions can be used to definewhether currents flow to or from various sources. In this regard, arrowsshowing the directions of current flows in the Figures, references tocurrent flowing to or form various circuit nodes, references to currentsbeing sunk or sourced, etc., should all be understood as relative andnot in any limiting sense.

It should also be understood that reference to an electrode nodeimplantable adjacent to tissue to be stimulated includes electrodes onthe implantable stimulator device, or associated electrode leads, or anyother structure for stimulating tissue.

Moreover, it should be understood that an “electrode node implantableadjacent to tissue to be stimulated” is to be understood without regardto any output capacitance, such as coupling capacitances C_(N) includedin the header connector 192 or elsewhere (see FIG. 7). It should beunderstood that nodes on both sides of such a coupling capacitor orother output impedance are, in the context of this invention, notmaterially different from an architectural standpoint, such that eithernode would be considered as the electrode node implantable adjacent totissue to be stimulated. Thus, and referring to FIG. 7, even though acoupling capacitor C₁ has been used between the DAC circuitry 186 andthe electrode node E₁, both node E₁ and node 450 would be considered as“electrode nodes implantable adjacent to tissue to be stimulated” in thecontext of the present invention. Thus, node 450 would not comprise acommon node between the source and sink circuitry different from theelectrode node E₁, as node 450 is synonymous with node E₁ in the contextof the invention. In short, the phrase “wherein the current sourcecircuitry and the current sink circuitry do not share a common nodeother than the electrodes” should not be interpreted such that node 450would be a common node other than the electrode nodes, because as justmentioned node 450 would be synonymous with the electrode node E1. Thesame would be true for other impedances, e.g., if an output resistor wasused in addition to or in lieu of coupling capacitor C₁.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modificationsand variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the literal and equivalent scope of the invention setforth in the claims.

1. An implantable stimulator device, comprising: a plurality ofelectrode nodes implantable adjacent to tissue to be stimulated; currentsource circuitry comprising a plurality of first stages each foroutputting an output current, wherein each first stage is controllableto send its output current to more than one of the plurality ofelectrode nodes; and current sink circuitry comprising a plurality ofsecond stages each for outputting an output current, wherein each secondstage is controllable to sink its output current from more than one ofthe plurality of electrode nodes, wherein the current source circuitryand the current sink circuitry do not share a common node other than theelectrode nodes.
 2. The implantable stimulator device of claim 1,wherein each stage of the first and second stages comprises: a currentconverter circuit for converting a reference current into the outputcurrent, wherein the output current represents a scaled version of thereference current; and a switch bank, wherein each switch bank comprisesa plurality of switches for receiving the output current.
 3. Theimplantable stimulator device of claim 2, further comprising adigital-to-analog converter for converting another current into thereference current in accordance with digital control signals.
 4. Theimplantable stimulator device of claim 2, wherein the current convertercircuit comprises a current mirror.
 5. The implantable stimulator deviceof claim 4, wherein a scalar between the output current and thereference current is set by a number of parallel output transistors inthe current mirror.
 6. An implantable stimulator device, comprising: aplurality of electrode nodes implantable adjacent to tissue to bestimulated; current source circuitry comprising a plurality of firststages each for converting a reference current into a plurality ofoutput currents, wherein the output currents represent scaled versionsof the reference current, wherein each first stage is controllable tosend its output current to more than one of the plurality of electrodenodes; and current sink circuitry comprising a plurality of secondstages each for converting a reference current into a plurality ofoutput currents, wherein the output currents represent scaled versionsof the reference current, wherein each second stage is controllable tosink its output current from more than one of the plurality of electrodenodes, wherein the current source circuitry and the current sinkcircuitry do not share a common node other than the electrode nodes. 7.The implantable stimulator device of claim 6, wherein each stage of thefirst and second stages comprises: a current converter circuit forconverting the reference current into the output current; and a switchbank, wherein each switch bank comprises a plurality of switches forreceiving the output current.
 8. The implantable stimulator device ofclaim 7, wherein the current converter circuit comprises a currentmirror.
 9. The implantable stimulator device of claim 8, wherein ascalar between the output current and the reference current is set by anumber of parallel output transistors in the current mirror.
 10. Theimplantable stimulator device of claim 6, further comprising adigital-to-analog converter for converting another current into thereference current in accordance with digital control signals. 11.Circuitry for an implantable stimulator device, comprising: a pluralityof electrode nodes implantable adjacent to tissue to be stimulated; adigital-to-analog converter for converting a first reference current toa second reference current; a plurality of current converters each forconverting the second reference current into a plurality of outputcurrents, wherein the output currents represent scaled versions of thesecond reference current; and a switch bank associated with each of theplurality of current converters, wherein each switch bank comprises aplurality of switches for receiving the output current from itsassociated current converter, wherein each switch in each switch bank iscapable of sending or sinking the output current from its associatedcurrent converter to or from an electrode node.
 12. The circuitry ofclaim 11, wherein the digital-to-analog converter converts the firstreference current into a particular magnitude of the second referencecurrent in accordance with digital control signals.
 13. The circuitry ofclaim 11, wherein the current converters comprise current mirrors. 14.The circuitry of claim 13, wherein a scalar between the output currentand the second reference current is set by a number of parallel outputtransistors in the current mirrors.
 15. The circuitry of claim 11,wherein the circuitry comprises either current source circuitry orcurrent sink circuitry.
 16. The circuitry of claim 11, wherein eachswitch in each switch bank is capable of sending or sinking the outputcurrent from its associated current converter to or from more than oneof the plurality of electrode nodes.
 17. Circuitry for an implantablestimulator device, comprising: a plurality of electrode nodesimplantable adjacent to tissue to be stimulated; a plurality ofnon-selectable current converters each for converting a referencecurrent into a plurality of output currents, wherein the output currentsrepresent scaled versions of the reference current; and a switch bankassociated with each of the plurality of current converters, whereineach switch bank comprises a plurality of switches for receiving theoutput current from its associated current converter, wherein eachswitch in each switch bank is capable of sending or sinking the outputcurrent from its associated current converter to or from an electrodenode.
 18. The circuitry of claim 17, further comprising adigital-to-analog converter for converting another current into thereference current.
 19. The circuitry of claim 17, wherein the currentconverters comprise current mirrors.
 20. The circuitry of claim 19,wherein a scalar between the output current and the reference current isset by a number of parallel output transistors in the current mirrors.21. The circuitry of claim 17, wherein the circuitry comprises eithercurrent source circuitry or current sink circuitry.
 22. The circuitry ofclaim 17, wherein each switch in each switch bank is capable of sendingor sinking the output current from its associated current converter toor from more than one of the plurality of electrode nodes.